Recap Ottawa-first Canadian happy

First to recap the Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon: 2:13:47, First Canadian, 8th overall.  I was happy with the result, executed well, a slight negative split. Pleased with how managed training in a “harsh” winter. Previous winter had been in Kenya- big difference in weather but happy to be at home with spouse, daughter and new son Luke this year. Ottawa left me confident and looking forward to Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon in October.

Reid pacing me, Rob’s pacer far right

After Ottawa it was time for a little adventure.  With my wife, Emily, on maternity leave and me running it gave our family some flexibility this summer, we decided to spend 6 weeks at home in Nova Scotia. Emily and I had purchased property on the ocean just 20 min outside hometown of Antigonish 8 years ago. This was the first year we were able to build on the property and stay there for longer than an afternoon! Added photos of bunkie (day hangout) & camp; yurt (sleeping quarters). Had no electricity, didn’t miss that so much as no running water, did have hand pump on top of drilled well. We used hanging shower bags heated by the sun to wash, and cooked everything on a BBQ. Lots of time with friends and family, lots of time on the beach and watching our kids have a great time. I kept fit running once a day with one or two workouts a week. With the length of time we were there I able to catching up with old running pals, high school friends, and coach Bernie Chisholm.  I ran the local Highland Games 5miler mid July – felt in a completely different place mentally and physically this year than last year at the same time, 25:11 2013 hard effort, 24:21 in control this year. Looking to carry that forward into late summer and fall marathon training.

The Yurt, our home for five weeks

Windy, Ballantynes Cove

wind got the fries                                   playing washers on beach

Sunset & Luke after lunch

here is a little video of snorkelling at the cove

We broke the return trip home to Guelph into 3 days to allow me time to run and keep the younger members of the family happy. How to train while driving 1950km- book hotels with pools to keep the kids happy, a cooler full of food so you don’t eat car trip junk food the whole time, keep roller and stretching band on hand. Marry someone who is supportive enough to encourage you to go out for a two hour run while she watches the kids, replenishes the coolers, and takes a strategic turn driving so that you can nap, thanks Em 🙂

 on our way

EnRoute in ON

Now that I’m back in Guelph,  I am really enjoying focusing in on the “details” that make a difference in training and racing. My hip flared up the last week in Nova Scotia and has hampered training a bit. In Nova Scotia I was able to get some help from physiotherapist Chris Mackinnon. Glad to see Brenda ST after the long car ride to unwind and to reconnect with Kim Dawson to help put the slight setback in perspective and refocus on the work ahead.   Coach DST has the plan set, time to execute it! Plan is to run the 10k at the Oasis ZooRun September 20th, and then Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon October 19th.